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How do we know we have an accurate copy of the New Testament? Why don't we have any original manuscripts? What about all the differences between the manuscripts we do have? How can we be sure that what we're reading is what they originally wrote? I was thrilled to get to talk with Dr. Peter Gurry of Phoenix Seminary about these questions. Peter helps us with the best way to communicate these answers, and even shares some common mistakes apologists make.
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Textual critics or those who painstakingly examined the biblical texts in order to provide a body of divinity in the collective manuscripts of our new covenant writings have done a marvelous job under the supervision and providence of God. Men like Bengal and Tregelles were outstanding scholars whose labors will forever be blessed in the truth as it is in Jesus.

I try and pay attention to both sides of the argument in this topic. I have to be honest, Peter never proved that we have a reliable copy. He just said that we have enough manuscripts to prove ones subjective interpretation of the Bible. That's completely different than knowing without a doubt that those manuscripts are accurate to the originals, which do not exist anymore. I see that he is being forthright in his approach on this, which I appreciate, but one could never come to any absolute conclusion on this matter. The best you can do is say... I like this view and decide that's what you want to believe. Unfortunately, certain secs of Christianity have cornered themselves having to say that they absolutely know the 100% truth, which is impossible to know.....if one is being honest.

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Alisa Childers

10/31/2018 09:47:59 pm

Hi there, thanks for your comment, but I disagree. Peter never implied that we have enough manuscripts to prove one's subjective interpretation of the Bible. That's not even how textual criticism works. It's not a matter of which view you *like*...it's which one has the stronger evidence. In this case, the weight of evidence and scholarship is heavily in favor of the reliability of the text. The burden of proof would actually be on the person claiming that we don't have an accurate copy of the New Testament.

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Catie Newby

12/10/2018 11:32:38 am

Loved this episode! Also loved how almost every time you asked a question, Alisa, Peter responded with "Great question!!" 👍💙